How a Bill Becomes a Law

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How a Bill Becomes a Law

• Heather Hoffman Jennifer Soderstrom

INCD-240-01 Project 8
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What is a bill?

• A proposed law placed before a legislative body
  for examination, debate, and enactment.
• Once enacted, a bill becomes a law
• As stated in the Constitution, the introduction
  and processing of bills constitute the main
  day-to-day congressional activity

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Introduction of the Bill

• In the federal government, a bill must be
  introduced by a member of Congress or Senate

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Submission of the bill

• Either the House of Representatives or Senate
  receives the bill
• Public hearing before the committee
• If necessary, hearings are held and expert
  opinions are solicited.

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Committee Stage

• Many bills are rejected at this stage
• Other bills are placed before the main body for
  possible adoption.

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Committee Approval

• Generally debated on the floor
• Amendments may result

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Voting process

• Vote is taken
• If the bill receives a favorable majority vote,
  it is sent to the other house where a similar
  procedure takes place.

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Joint House-Senate conference committee

• Any differences between versions of a bill passed
  by the House and Senate are resolved here
• Both the House and Senate must approve the
  compromised bill that emerges.

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Presidents Decision

• President approves or vetoes
• Presidential approval renders the bill into law
• Presidential veto can be overridden by a
  two-thirds majority vote of both the House and
  Senate.

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Votes Needed by Senate and Congress to Over-ride
the Presidents Veto
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New Jersey Legislature
Source http//www.njleg.state.nj.us
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And that is how a bill becomes a law.